The days – or even weeks – spent waiting for the results of a cancer-screening test can feel like an eternity. Especially when early diagnosis and quick action are tied to better outcomes.
Now, a new technique to analyze proteins expressed on cancer cells shows promise in more rapidly detecting these cell types.
“Pathogen or cancer cell identification often relies on culturing a sample, which can take several days,” said Darci Trader, an assistant professor of medicinal chemistry and molecular pharmacology in Purdue University’s College of Pharmacy, who led the research team. “We have recently developed a method to screen one-bead-one-compound libraries against biological targets such as proteins or antibodies.”
Trader believes the Purdue screening method could be developed into a rapid, sensitive technique to identify cancer cells in patient blood samples. This could expedite cancer diagnosis and lead to better patient outcomes.
Read more at Purdue University
Image: A Purdue University team developed a method to screen one-bead-one-compound libraries against biological targets such as proteins or antibodies. CREDIT: Purdue University